Ezra Collective: Tiny Desk Concert

Suraya Mohamed | November 10, 2022
The day before The Ezra Collective’s Tiny Desk concert, the band members practiced for hours at a nearby community music space and the next morning, they walked in the door giddy and ready to go. The warm-up was good, but once we started to record, a crazy intensity and energy spilled out into the room. They were fierce and fun and all of their solos were on fire.

The band makes amazing jazz music and mixes it with a fusion of other genres like Afrobeat, hip-hop and grime. The London-based band was supposed to play this Tiny Desk concert in 2020, but then, as bandleader and phenom drummer Femi Koleoso put it, “the world collapsed.” Here it is now, rockin’ hard with the highest level of musicianship and technique.

Before coming to NPR, Koleoso had just finished a world tour with the group Gorillaz. He met up with his bandmates in Washington, D.C., to play this concert and kick off promotion for the band’s newly released sophomore album, Where I’m Meant To Be. He explained on Instagram that he loves the album title because it's vague and specific at the same time, just like his band, a multifaceted complement of contrasting attributes. The first two songs in this set are from that new album while the last, “Chapter 7,” is from the group’s 2016 EP. Throughout the set, watch how keyboard player Joe Armon-Jones barely stays on his seat and hear how the audience couldn’t keep quiet. After the concert, the spirit of the music lingered for a long time and the day ended with pictures, hugs and plenty of smiles.

SET LIST
“Victory Dance”
“Welcome To My World”
“Chapter 7”

MUSICIANS
Femi Koleoso: drums
TJ Koleoso: bass
Joe Armon-Jones: keys
James Mollison: saxophone
Ife Ogunjobi: trumpet

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Sofia Seidel
Audio Assistant: Andie Huether
Production Assistant: Jill Britton
Tiny Desk Team: Marissa Lorusso, Hazel Cills, Ashley Pointer, Teresa Xie
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#nprmusic #tinydesk #ezracollective

[actualmite]

Little story: I met them in the streets of Paris 5 Years ago while I was going to their gig, as I said I was coming straight from London for the concert they took me with them for a dinner and danced together all night! Such a humble and joyful people Thanks Ezra!

[robinsonbassy]

Never seen a pianist LISTEN like that ! He is all in for the band, while being so tight and creative, I freaking love it

[Saintlike_]

Fun fact: this isn't the first time Femi Koleoso (on drums) presented on a Tiny Desk Concert. He was the drummer for Jorja Smith on her concert as well!

[Deus]

At last! Glad to see that NPR is still commited to spread the good word about the UK jazz scene. The Yussef Dayes Experience next?

[RobearStory]

Take my advice, go see them live. It's an experience. Those who have, know what I'm talking about.
The vibes are immaculate, their skill is only matched by their positivity, and the energy is unforgettable.

[ashalorena]

these guys are a really important pillar in the 'real' music scene in England, especially South London. And it has been an honour to watch them grow and expand, I imagine it doesn't feel real for them to be there! big ups

[alicewalker]

Saw Ezra Collective at Love Supreme this year. They encouraged us to move our attention from them, the musicians, to the people dancing around us. It was an incredible experience. THIS is the power of music - the shared collective ! Giving permission for us to connect.. until we realise we can give ourselves that permission.. LETS GOOOO EZRAAA. LOVE IS THE ANSWER

[billystrano]

That’s fantastic! I didn’t know this band. Thank you! - Enjoy your day everyone, wherever you are.

[mustafaname]

They've just won the Mercury music prize - first jazz act since ... EVER, since ever, Trevor 😄

[patrickfitzgerald]

For anyone watching this who plays bass guitar, TJ is showing you all how it's done right here. You don't need a $10, 000 custom-made instrument. Just take a stock Fender Precision, practice like a maniac, and let your mind, soul and fingers do the rest! 😎

[thmsrttg]

5:15 "But delay is not denial" — YES! 😍

[El_Chuncho]

This group has been putting in work for a good while now. It's good to see them getting more exposure. 🔥

[demirmahir]

Wow, they sound even better live than on the record. The band energy is amazing. I'm looking forward to catching their concert somewhere.

[RafaelU_Alb]

The thing that I like the most is how they enjoy making music.

[PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Victory Dance* (3:38)
3:43 - *Welcome To My World*
[11:55] - *Chapter 7* (15:42)
[15:52 - Tiny Desk team]

[magicalmysterymix]

One of the most exciting bands of the new UK jazz scene 🔥🔥

[samoliver]

james mollison's reaction after joe a-j hits that chord progression at 12:50 is a bit of me. These guys are all immensely talented, but joe does things that i didn't know where possible. I remember seeing ezra in a super sweaty & small house of vans tent at bestival in 2018 and thinking they were gonna go far. Makes me very happy to see where they are now!

[CrAck-MoNey]

This is one of the many reasons I've been subscribed to Tiny Desk longer than most any other channel. Every show has a different group or artist than the last show, but just as engaging and talented. Thank you Tiny Desk for allowing artists to show off their talent in a genuine way.

[CraigThePoet]

I like how the Pianist is not just playing the piano/rhodes sounds, he's actually playing the Nord.

[burner]

I was just listening to their newest album.
They're easily my favourite current jazz band.
In a league of their own